A Look Behind Blue Beetle’s Production Design

In its debut on the big screen, “Blue Beetle” marked the first appearance of the DC Super Hero in a live-action film. The movie, helmed by director Ángel Manuel Soto, stars Xolo Maridueña in the lead role as Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate with ambitious dreams for his future. However, upon returning home, he discovers that things have changed in unexpected ways. As Jaime searches for his purpose in life, fate intervenes, granting him possession of an ancient relic known as the Scarab—an alien biotechnology. This symbiotic union bestows upon him an extraordinary suit of armor with unpredictable powers, transforming him into the Super Hero, BLUE BEETLE.

Joining Maridueña in the cast are Adriana Barraza as Nana, Jaime’s grandmother, Damían Alcázar as his father, and Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax. The star-studded lineup also includes Oscar winner Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, George Lopez as Jaime’s Uncle Rudy, Elpidia Carrillo as his mother, Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Belissa Escobedo as Jaime’s sister, Milagro, and Harvey Guillén as Dr. Sanchez.

Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer penned the screenplay, drawing inspiration from characters in DC comics and striving to infuse the film with both a classic hero’s origin story and the authentic Latin culture that fans expect. Director Ángel Manuel Soto and his creative team sought to strike a balance between magical realism and genuine human emotion in their visual approach, while also drawing inspiration from Blue Beetle’s impressive moves in the videogame “Injustice 2” for the intense action and fight sequences.

The story of Blue Beetle has evolved over the years, with different characters taking on the mantle. Originally, Blue Beetle was Dan Garrett, an archaeologist who stumbled upon a magic scarab in an Egyptian ruin. Later, the character transformed into brilliant inventor Ted Kord, before eventually becoming Jaime Reyes, the hero in the film. Created by Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner, Jaime is portrayed as a college graduate from a close-knit Mexican American family in El Paso, Texas.

For the movie, the filmmakers decided to create a new home for Jaime and his family, called Palmera City, which reflects the vibrant and bustling urban atmosphere of Metropolis and Central City, with nods to El Paso for its fans and residents. Jaime’s struggles and challenges intensify as he grapples with the failing family business, gentrification, and his father’s declining health. Destiny takes a turn when Jaime encounters Jenny, not Ted Kord, who entrusts him with a relic that alters the course of his life and that of the entire Reyes family.

Production Designer John Billington brought the vibrant and tech-infused world of “Blue Beetle” to life. The production was primarily filmed in Atlanta, with some scenes also shot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to add authentic and lush landscapes, incorporating historic landmarks into the film’s backdrop.

The movie introduces Palmera City, a newly minted addition to the DC universe, distinguished by its futuristic Neo-Miami ambiance. The city exudes a mesmerizing display of neon colors and holograms, portraying a highly advanced and tech-driven society.

Edge Keys serves as the residential area for Jaime and the Reyes family, located adjacent to Palmera City. Bursting with life, this working-class neighborhood is adorned with colorful buildings and a bustling atmosphere filled with the rhythm of music. In the homes, holograms of the Virgin of Guadalupe pay homage to the residents’ cultural heritage. However, as Palmera City expands, Edge Keys faces the challenges of gentrification, jeopardizing the familiar neighborhood and community its citizens cherish.

Dominating the city skyline, Kord Tower stands tall at the heart of Palmera City. Originally owned by Ted Kord, a quirky inventor and benevolent businessman, Kord Industries underwent a shift when Ted mysteriously disappeared. His sister, Victoria Kord, now runs the company, focusing on developing military-grade technology to perpetuate global conflicts, prioritizing profit over resolution.

The Reyes House embodies modesty and comfort, reflecting the warmth and love shared among its family members. The set design features warm woods and colors, accentuated by numerous family photos capturing cherished memories displayed throughout the home.

The Bug Lair remains a time capsule, untouched since Ted Kord’s disappearance in the mid-2000s. The set features technology from the ’70s and ’80s, adorned with aged drawings, collections, and bookcases. The overall vibe marries an ’80s aesthetic with a hint of Memphis flair, exhibiting a color palette of turquoise blues and pinks. An Easter egg for fans includes a workout area, harkening back to Ted’s past as a boxer in the comics. The Bug Lair, also housing the Bug ship, boasts a robotic tech area, a place where Ted built models, and a drafting table. Additional items, such as electronics and TVs, further add to the set’s authenticity.

The Bug Ship, a formidable creation of Ted Kord, the previous incarnation of Blue Beetle, showcases a design of blue metal with distinctive windows resembling bulbous yellow eyes and protruding “legs” from its sides. Aptly named, the Bug Ship possesses the ability to transport passengers through both flight and crawling modes. A testament to Ted’s ingenuity, the Bug Ship remains forgotten but fortified, a crucial element in the heroic legacy of Blue Beetle.

Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, the screenwriter of “Blue Beetle,” shared his admiration for the word “Ánimo,” which, in his view, encapsulates hope, optimism, and strength. He believed that this word becomes the defining essence of the superhero in the film.

Producer John Rickard expressed his perspective on the unique aspect of the story. He highlighted that Jaime Reyes, the protagonist, is not the typical enthusiastic hero like Peter Parker in Spider-Man. Instead, Jaime is an ordinary kid who becomes an accidental hero, reluctant to embrace his newfound powers. The journey the character embarks on involves self-discovery, exploration of identity, family bonds, and accepting his true destiny. Throughout the film, Jaime realizes that his family is his real superpower, making the story particularly meaningful.

Regarding the essence of Jaime Reyes’ character, Rickard emphasized that the hero’s transformation from uncertainty to self-acceptance and responsibility would resonate with audiences globally. The struggle to understand one’s identity and the choice to embrace destiny for the greater good is a powerful and inspiring journey. Jaime, portrayed as a regular kid from a working-class family, rises to greatness by answering the call to protect his community as the superhero Blue Beetle.

Producer Zev Foreman shed light on the creation of Palmera City for the film. Initially, the studio considered setting the story in El Paso, following the comics. However, the decision was made to give Jaime and Blue Beetle their unique city, akin to Metropolis for Superman and Central City for The Flash. This change brought a fresh and colorful ambiance to the movie. The city’s unique elements, inspired by Miami, with its diverse population, wealth disparities, and coastal location, offered ample opportunities to create a distinct and immersive environment within the superhero genre. The new setting influenced various aspects of the film, including the sounds, music, lighting, and overall ambiance, making it an outstanding choice for the storytelling.

Soaring into theaters with an extraordinary tale of heroism, “Blue Beetle” is a Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation, brought to life in collaboration with Safran Company Production. With an international release scheduled for August 16, 2023, and North American audiences eagerly awaiting its arrival on August 18, 2023, this highly anticipated film promises to be a groundbreaking addition to the superhero genre. Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto and penned by the talented Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, the movie introduces us to the reluctant hero, Jaime Reyes, portrayed brilliantly by Xolo Maridueña. Through an engaging narrative that explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the embrace of destiny, “Blue Beetle” unveils a vibrant and tech-infused world within Palmera City. As the film takes flight on the global stage, Warner Bros. Pictures ensures an exhilarating and inspiring cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.